Health
Howie Mandel Shares Grandson’s Leukemia Journey
Health Points
- Open dialogue about a loved one’s illness can provide comfort and foster connection.
- Leukemia impacts the body’s blood-forming systems, but many children respond well to advanced treatments.
- Support from family and community is vital for emotional health during challenging times.
Howie Mandel is speaking publicly for the first time about his grandson Axel’s diagnosis with leukemia. The comedian and his daughter Jackelyn Shultz reflected on their family’s medical and emotional journey during a candid podcast conversation.
“In fact, that’s the first time we’ve ever talked about it on camera,” Mandel revealed next to his daughter.
Leukemia, a cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, can be particularly daunting when it impacts a child, but treatments continue to improve. Jackelyn shared how overwhelming it was to receive the news, recalling the family’s initial belief that Axel had the flu before his true diagnosis was revealed.
The experience has created a new sense of closeness within their family as they faced years of uncertainty. Host Graham Bensinger noted that Mandel’s wife, Terry, described how the health crisis drew them all together.
“When something like that happens, it prioritizes. Nothing matters but the health and welfare of the people you love and the people that are closest to us,” Mandel said.
Family support has been essential, but the journey has also included high-stress hospital visits, strict precautions, and emotional vulnerability. Mandel and his daughter faced judgment from outsiders, especially regarding masking during podcast episodes to protect Axel’s fragile health.
“They have no idea what I’m going through right now. They have no idea that I’m just trying to be able to go visit my son in the hospital,” Shultz explained.
The darkest moment came on a family trip to Hawaii when they learned that Axel needed immediate chemotherapy. Despite conflicting advice and a whirlwind of uncertainty, they persisted through every hurdle together.
“He’s doing good now. He’s in remission right now, but he had to have a bone marrow transplant from his sister,” Mandel shared, offering hope and gratitude for Axel’s progress while acknowledging continued challenges as his immune system rebuilds.
Shultz stressed the importance of ongoing care, recognizing that post-treatment requires dedicated support and perseverance: “It’s a really, really, really long, hard road, and we are really fortunate to be where we are right now, and for him to be happy, and he’s doing well.”
This story illustrates the strength families discover when facing adversity and highlights how openness can reduce stigma around illness and healing.
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